Can this be cancer?

[MagLu]

My mother had a core biopsy done on a lump in her breast that has now caused her nipple to be slightly inverted.  (By the way, she has a history of sarcoidosis). The results from the needle biopsy showed that her cells are abnormal. Does this mean cancer? If it was cancer wouldnt the needle biopsy results indicate cancer? What other conditions can abnormal cell biopsy results mean? This lump is painful for her and feels like the size of an egg.  She now needs to take this out for a biopsy to be done on the whole thing.  Is there any glimmer of hope that this could not be cancer? Can this possibly be a growth from her sarcoidosis or is there no connection? I am very worried about her. Thanks for your help.

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear MagLu, This could mean cancer it could also mean a pre-cancerous condition such as DCIS, or it might mean that there are cells that are abnormal (atypical hyperplasia) that could be a risk factor for developing cancer.  Likely because this is painful and an abnormality was found they would want to remove it to be sure there is not a cancerous component to the lump.

Sarcoidosis is usually a disease affecting the lungs, but the granuloma tumors can really show up anywhere.  The report from the pathologist may have more details about these abnormal cells and your doctor could help with interpreting the details for you.

[MagLu]

Thank you for your speedy reply. Wouldn't the core biopsy result show "cancer" if it was cancer?
With heartfelt thanks,
Maggy

[MagLu]

What question should I be asking the breast surgeon in this particular case about the biopsy results and about the lumpectomy?

[MagLu]

Can someone please help? results of needle aspiration (i thought earlier it was a core biopsy but was wrong) showed this:
"groups of epithelial cells with arhetectural and cytologic atypia - please consider biopsy to rule out lobular carcinoma".
can someone please tell me if this is diffinitively cancer??? as well, what are your thoughts on a biopsy done on a local rather than a general anesthetic? thank  you -- i am sick with worry

[cheries]

about 6 months ago they found a mass
( not a cyst) located 5cm from my nipple,it was only 1.39
cm. at the time and the dr said that he didnot want to do a biopsy because it being so small they wouldnt be able to tell
what it was, and because me being only 24 its unlikly it could
be cancerous, now it puttin pressure on my chest could it mean its growing? or unstablized.

[SkayUCF]

I am no doctor, but I also found a lump recently at a young age and they told me everything was fine. It turned out to be a fibroidadenoma, but not cancerous. Yet when I went back to get a checkup a month later they told me it had grown quite a bit. Apparently these masses have been known to grow to the size of softballs (in some cases) For this reason I opted to get surgery on it in a few weeks...that may be something to consider.

[mlk]

I discovered a small lump (slightly larger than a pea) in my breast about 2 months ago.  The breast surgeon diagnosed it as fibroidadenoma.  She also gave me the option of having it removed but reassured me that it was not necessary.  It has since doubled in size and I am having a lumpectomy next week.  Although the doctor insists that the tumor is not cancerous, I will not be 100% reassured until the biopsy results prove the tissue as benign.  It's always better to be certain; peace of mind is priceless.

[mlk]

I discovered a small lump (slightly larger than a pea) in my breast about 2 months ago.  The breast surgeon diagnosed it as fibroidadenoma.  She also gave me the option of having it removed but reassured me that it was not necessary.  It has since doubled in size and I am having a lumpectomy next week.  Although the doctor insists that the tumor is not cancerous, I will not be 100% reassured until the biopsy results prove the tissue as benign.  It's always better to be certain; peace of mind is priceless.